Commercialization of Identity Preserved Grain Sorghum with Optimized Endosperm Matrices for Enhanced Bioethanol Conversion and High Lysine DDG Feed and Food Value

2011 DOT-RITA Integrated Award

 

Principal Investigators and affiliations:
PI: Dr. Dirk Hays (Texas A&M University, Soil and Crop Sciences)
Co-PI: Dr. William Rooney (Texas Agricultural Experiment Station)
Co-PI: Dr. Donghai Wang (Kansas State University)
Co-PI: Dr. Gary Peterson (Texas AgriLife Research)
Co-PI: Dr Joseph Awika (Texas A&M University)

Funded: $341,922

Start Date: 7/1/2011

End Date: 6/30/2015

 

Expected Outcomes:

The outcomes/products derived from this research will be new sorghum hybrids ideally optimized for the bioethanol/DDG animal feed system. The grain endosperm will be optimized for low energy input cooking, and gelatinization, and higher efficiency fermentation. Additionally the DDG will be optimized as a high lysine DDG/DWG feed. As such, this project will improve the value chain bioethanol refineries’ economic return by reducing energy cost, improving ethanol yield per raw input, and feed value return. Additionally, Hays’ team will show that the HD x waxy grain traits improves other sorghum-based products. These include healthier high lysine, and Celiac friendly beers, breads, pancakes, cakes, North Africa Injera’s and Kisra’s, as well as whole grain breakfast cereals, and porridges. These will have a significant impact for USA-AID INTSORMIL collaboration in Africa and Central America.